Seattle to the Grand Canyon and back

"Let me make something very clear I do not recommend CA-190 for any RV. The road is too steep and in July too HOT, the high in Death Valley (today) was 118" WHY ARE YOU TRYING TO SCARE PEOPLE?

I've been that way three times (slow learner) having to run the heater to try and not overheat the engine all three times. Last time was with a Burb pulling a Airstream where I could spray water on the radiator. The undercoating on the frame was smoking and boiled the brake fluid... only trailer brakes on the way down to Stovepipe Wells. Saw the smoking remains of a Class C where three generations go out with what they had on.

Next time I see Death Valley it will be from 30,000'.:B

With only 10 days I'd us 89 and Alt 89 to Jacob's Lake for the N Rim and then decide if you have enough time to do the S Rim.

Dick_B wrote:
Seems to me there is lots to see between Seattle and the South Rim. I'm thinking of Yellowstone NP for one and Glacier NP (tho not on the way). Since the average time tourists spend at the South Rim is three hours it seems like a long way to drive for three hours. Have you considered the North Rim?
Due to latter criticism of the 3 hour stat I double checked and the average length of time tourists spend looking down into the canyon is 15 minutes!
Don't forget what average means.

I'm going to call you on this, what's your source?

The NPS certainly disagrees with you. See NPS Visit stats

Now I only checked March 2015 (most recent) which shows 437,537 individual visitors which spent 6,789,062 hours. Which works out to 15.5 hrs.

If you take I 15 to 89, I recommend going through Fredonia to Jacob Lake. There you have access to the north rim of the canyon and drop down through Marble Canyon with a view of the Vermilion Cliffs. This way, you can visit the north and south rim of Grand Canyon. Easy route and very scenic.

Leo Smith wrote:


We were originally planning on I-84 to southern Idaho, then I-15 south through Salt Lake City then finally highway 89 to Bryce Canyon and down around to the south rim of the Grand Canyon.

This is the route I'd recommend for a 10-day trip. Death Valley would be absolutely awful at this time of year.

Ten-X is a nice national forest campground just outside the South Rim of the Canyon. Also, all the campgrounds within the park itself are very nice.

Disregard Dick B's ever-ready comment about most spend only 3 hr. at the canyon. That's nonsense. We've been back many, many times and never tire of it as have many of our friends.

Have a great trip!

Leo Smith wrote:
Impkitti,
We have made reservations at an RV park called "Ten X". Is this the park you are referring to?
Thanks,
Leo

Ah no she is talking about Grand Canyon Village (just outside the park), which is a commercial campground. We couldn't fit into Ten-x (which is a NF campground)

Leo Smith wrote:
In early July my wife and I are planning a road trip from Seattle to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. We are towing a 24' TT with a Ford F-150, and we have 10 days of vacation time to make this trip.

We were originally planning on I-84 to southern Idaho, then I-15 south through Salt Lake City then finally highway 89 to Bryce Canyon and down around to the south rim of the Grand Canyon.

A neighbor suggested an alternate route: Leaving Seattle, taking I-5 south to Sacramento, then heading east on highway 50 to Carson City. At Carson city, head south on highway 395, then head southeast on highway 190 through Death Valley and continue on to Las Vegas. After some R&R in Vegas, continue southeast to the Grand Canyon.

Any thoughts or experiences with either of these routes?

Made nearly the same trip, we went down I-84/I-15. We came back sorta the other way. Death Valley to Owens Valley to Reno then back up I-5.

Let me make something very clear I do not recommend CA-190 for any RV. The road is too steep and in July too HOT, the high in Death Valley (today) was 118. We went through in Oct and got rained on, and it snowed as we crossed the mountains.

There is a (retired) CAL-TRANS worker on this forum that also recommends avoiding CA-190

Impkitti,
We have made reservations at an RV park called "Ten X". Is this the park you are referring to?
Thanks,
Leo

Dick_B wrote:
.....Since the average time tourists spend at the South Rim is three hours it seems like a long way to drive for three hours. Have you considered the North Rim?

Really? The average is three house? Since we spent four-days/three-nights at the south rim, I really have to wonder how long some people visit.
Either that or your claim the average is 3 hrs.

We road the buses, walked the view walks, spent time at the visitors center, went to evening programs. We even walked a short way down into the canyon. No way you could do that in 3 hours.

No useful comment for the roads, but be sure to make a reservation for the campground inside the park. The Park is wonderful.

We were there in May, didn't make a reservation for the park and ended up staying at the only RV park within a decent driving distance. Never paid so much for so little. The place is a dump and after charging you $50 per night, they want $2 for an 8 minute shower.

Seems to me there is lots to see between Seattle and the South Rim. I'm thinking of Yellowstone NP for one and Glacier NP (tho not on the way). Since the average time tourists spend at the South Rim is three hours it seems like a long way to drive for three hours. Have you considered the North Rim?
Due to latter criticism of the 3 hour stat I double checked and the average length of time tourists spend looking down into the canyon is 15 minutes!
Don't forget what average means.